UPDATED 23:19 EDT / MARCH 15 2018

EMERGING TECH

To appease Apple users, Google renames Android Wear to Wear OS

Google LLC has changed the name of Android Wear, its wearables version of Android, to Wear OS by Google in an apparent bid to appease Apple Inc. users who were confused by the fact that the operating system worked with both Android and iOS devices.

“In 2017, one out of three new Android Wear watch owners also used an iPhone,” Dennis Troper, director of product management for Wear OS, said in a blog post today. “So … we’re announcing a new name that better reflects our technology, vision, and most important of all — the people who wear our watches.”

Google launched Android Wear for the then, and arguably still, nascent smartwatch market back in 2014 with a focus on voice control and contextual information. There are apparently more than 50 watches now running the OS. But except for Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.’s Gear devices, most people can’t name any of the other 50 plus devices using it.

Despite a lack of mass-market adoption, described by some as a complete failure by Apple in particular, others are more positive on the future of the smartwatch market. Forrester predicted in November that smartwatch adoption would double by 2022.

But that’s not because of some massive market urge to buy smartwatches. Instead, it’s expected to be driven by fitness wearable users seeking to upgrade their existing devices to something that offers extra features.

Google has been quick to apply the new branding of the OS. 9to5Google reported that it has updated the companion app with the new branding and a slight redesign. Users are presented with a notification that states, “Android Wear is now Wear OS by Google.”

Image: Google

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